The former Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, Dr. Elijah Mohammed, has appealed to the federal and state governments to demonstrate a strong political stand on drug distribution in the country.
He made the appeal during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos and while reacting to GlaxoSmithKline Plc. exit from Nigeria after 51 years of operation.
GSK is a global biopharma company with the purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of the disease.
Its Research and Development focuses on four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, respiratory, immunology and oncology.
Dr. Mohammed noted that the current open drug distribution operation in the country was chaotic and fueled the proliferation of counterfeit medicines, treatment failures, and increased morbidity and mortality among citizens.
“A system that’s not regulated will have all sorts of nefarious activities that frustrate genuine players, which might make them exit,” he added.
To address the challenges of the open drug market, Dr. Mohammed said the Federal Government established the Coordinated Wholesale Centre, through the PCN.
He explained that the Coordinated Wholesale Centre seeks to provide opportunities for owners of medicine shops in the open drug markets.
“This is to relocate and operate in a regulated environment to ensure the quality of medicines is maintained throughout the distribution chain.
“The Kano State Government has demonstrated strong political will as it has created the first phase of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre.
“Lagos and other states have shown no political will; everyone is waiting for the federal government.
“The federal government has tried through its agencies, PCN and NAFDAC to address the situation.
“State governments should also give backing to the initiative just like the Kano government did,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed noted that drug distribution requires efficient supply chain systems and appropriate regulation to ensure that medicines reach the consumer in the intended qualitative state.
He urged the government to take a stance on parallel importation of medicines, noting that parallel trade that includes pharmaceuticals was risky and could be fatal to patients.
According to him, “A business that sells a parallel imported medicine is not an authorised dealer of that drug, which means they can’t offer a manufacturer’s warranty.
“When you genuinely import and register your product with NAFDAC, and then you now see some parallel importers, it becomes so frustrating.
“Falsification and counterfeiting come in and this destroys the health of Nigerians and the economy.”
Dr. Mohammed decried the current state of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the country, saying all Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) used by pharma companies are imported.
“Without an indigenous petrochemical industry, we will continue to see manufacturers import their raw materials and with the volatility attached to the exchange rate, cost of production, cost of distribution and cost of medicines would increase,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed expressed optimism at Nigeria’s potential to surmount its challenges with strong political will, favourable policies and increased investment in infrastructure.
NAN reports that GSK, a biopharmaceutical company on August 3, announced its plans to exit Nigeria amid worsening economic pressure, challenges in accessing foreign exchange, and rising operational expenses, among others.
The parent body, GSK UK Group, informed GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Plc. of its strategic intent to cease the commercialisation of its prescription medicines and vaccines in the country through the GSK local operating companies.
The drug manufacturer said it would transition to a third-party direct distribution model for its pharmaceutical products.
GSK, in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Frederick Ichekwai, and filed with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd., said it was holding talks with advisors who would inform shareholders of the next course of action.
The drugmaker said it would work out a quick cash distribution and return of capital to shareholders, excluding GSK UK, if the Securities and Exchange Commission sanctions the plan.
GSK manufactures products such as Panadol, Sensodyne toothpaste, Augmentin, Advair, and Ventolin, among others.
(NAN)
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